The Lost Japanese War-ship.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3574, 19 September 1905, Page 2

The Lost Japanese War-ship.

Tokio, Sept 15. When it was evident, that she was sinking, the Mikasa was towed landwards. She now lies on an even keel in six fathoms of water. j It is known that 200 perished. The Daily Telegraph’s Tokio correspondent wires that a series of explosions occurred, some like simultaneous reports of many heavy guns, others dull and muffled. After the first series a vast sheet of flame enveloped the ship. The moonlight was perfect, while searchlights flared from ships and shore. The glare of the fire disclosed a heart rending spectacle. There were many heroic incidents. Boats were everywhere lowered and the survivors who rowed about, many suffering casualties, helped other rescuers to save numbers.

Admiral Yamamoto, Minister of Marine, declares that at a conference of naval officers all agreed that the affair was duo to an accident.

The finding of Vice-Admiral Misu, chairman of the Commission of Inquiry now proceeding, will be published. The guns are being removed preparatory to the refloating of the ship.

THE SEA RED WITH BLOOD. GREAT LOSS OF LIFE. Tokio, September 16. Further particulars concerning the disaster to the battleship Miktsa at Sasebo last Sunday night show that the vessel had entered the harbour for repairs and repainting when the fire occurred. The worst scene was on the second deck, where the majority of the crew wero extinguish the flames, and it was here that most of the casualties happened. Men were blown to fragments, which were scattered for hundreds of yards into the water, which became crimsoned with the blood of the victims. A large percentage were scalded to death, rendering their bodies unidentifiable. Many were below battling with the flames when the warship foundered. The reports of the explosions resounded in far-distant bilk.